Car break-ins caught on camera

SUGAR LAND, Texas - Home surveillance cameras caught images of a crook breaking into cars and attempting to burglarize a Fort Bend County home.

Most crooks who break into cars are in a hurry, but not the guy captured in the surveillance video, who apparently had no idea he was being watched by a network of hi-tech infrared surveillance cameras.

"It's only been here a few months and it's already paid off," homeowner Pamela Contreras said.

Contreras said the break-ins happened in the 16400 block of Beewood Glen Drive just after 3 a.m. on Friday.

In the video, you can see a man walking up the driveway. He then fiddles with his cellphone, turns it into a flashlight and then uses it to peep inside the family's SUV for a second. He then opens the driver-side door, hops in and spends several minutes rummaging through it. When he's done there he heads straight for Contreras' car and does the same exact thing.

"He stole one blank check from our checkbook in my husband's car, possibly the key to his house," said Contreras.

The house was his next target. In the video, you can see the crook walk up to the front door. The angle of the camera is such that you can see what he looks like.

"He looked real clean-cut," said Contreras.

In the video, you can't see the man's hands, but he appears to be messing with the front door, as if he's trying to break in. Suddenly he runs away. It turns out he was scared by the sound of the alarm that also woke up the Contrerases, who were fast asleep.

"I would like if anybody recognizes him to let the police know. If he is brave enough to enter someone's house while there are obviously people home, he could be dangerous," said Contreras.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office dusted the vehicles for fingerprints and is now investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS.

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